(6) UPPER AND LOWER BODY VOLUME-EQUATED RESISTANCE EXERCISE INCREASES POST-EXERCISE LIPID OXIDATION IN TRAINED EUMENORRHEIC FEMALES.

Purpose: Exercise strategies targeted to increase lipid oxidation (LOx) in the resting state, present an opportunity to optimize long-term metabolic health. However, research examining the effects of resistance training (RT) on LOx in females remains scarce, particularly with no studies having yet examined if differences exist in LOx between upper and lower body RT. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine lipid oxidation changes following volume-load equated upper and lower body RT in well-trained, eumenorrheic females. Methods: Twenty-two (25.4 ± 5.6 years) females who met the criteria of the study completed a 3-repetition-maximum (RM) and 1RM test for the barbell back squat (BS) and bench press (BP), respectively. From these assessments, an equated volume-load (sets x repetitions x load) was determined using 65% 1RM of subjects BS and BP. During the first 5 days of the subjects’ follicular phase, metabolic testing was completed before either the BS or BP, then again immediately-post, and 30, 60, and 90 min post-RT. Results: There were no significant differences between BS or BP for LOx rates (p > 0.05). However, both exercises induced a significant elevation in LOx rates, post-RT (p < 0.001). LOx rates relative to fat free mass increased (p < 0.05) from baseline (1.11 ± 0.53 mg·kg·FFM·min^-1) immediately and through 90 min post-RT (range: LOx = 1.51 ± 0.52 – 1.72 ± 0.34 mg·kg·FFM·min^-1), with peak LOx rates occurring at 90 min (1.78 ± 0.37 mg·kg·FFM·min^-1). Conclusions: Collectively, our data demonstrate that RT increases post-exercise LOx rates in females upwards of 90-min, irrespective of muscular region. Practical Applications: Moderate-intensity resistance training (≥65% 1RM) with both upper and lower body exercises, enhances lipid oxidation for at least 90 minutes post-exercise in trained, pre-menopausal females. These findings suggest resistance training provides metabolic health benefits traditionally associated with aerobic exercise. Acknowledgements: None